Keke Palmer's Cinderella Will Be Empowering, But With a Silly Side

From Tavi Gevinson in This Is Our Youth to Rose Byrne in You Can't Take It With You, a slew of cool girls are making their Broadway debut this season. Come September 9, Keke Palmer will be one of them, as the 20-year-old performer stars onstage as Cinderella.

Of course, Palmer has big shoes to fill (and not just because this production's glass heels are from Stuart Weitzman): The production's previous princesses include Julie Andrews, Debbie Gibson, and Lea Salonga. And though Brandy Norwood starred in a popular TV remake of the musical, Palmer is the first African American actress to hold the role on Broadway.

We spoke with the Illinois native on her second day of rehearsal, just in time to discuss the upcoming show, the famous Disney shoes, and the power of a good milkshake.

So you're done with rehearsal for today. How do you feel?

I am exhausted! It's really amazing to get an opportunity like this, but it's very tiring. And I know I'm going to have to do eight shows a week, which requires a lot of stamina, so I'm working hard to make sure I'm getting stronger each and every day.

Has the Broadway cast given you survival tips?

I mean, what works for one person will not necessarily work for another, you know? For everybody, it's different, but I need lots of water and lots of rest. But the rest part is difficult, because I'm spending so much time practicing. So my schedule's a little bit up and down. But no matter what, eating well is a big thing for me.

What's your New York snack of choice?

Right now, I'm doing a lot of baked potatoes. We're [rehearsing] right by a Wendy's. I love Frostys, too.

Have you ever done that thing where you dip your French fries—

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Into a Frosty? [Laughs] I love Frostys and French fries together! So good.

So you must have seen the 'Cinderella' cartoon when you were a little kid.

Of course. I grew up as a Disney fan. I was definitely a fan of the cartoon version. And then I remember Brandy's version—that's with the [Rogers & Hammerstein] music that's in the [current] show. I loved that version. I wanted to watch it over and over. And I already really liked Brandy, so it was nice to see a Cinderella that I already looked up to.

How did you get involved with this production?

I auditioned! I learned some of the songs and the dance moves, and they called me shortly after I tried out, and they told me they wanted me for the role! And of course I was thrilled. I love Disney princesses.

Do you remember the first Broadway show you ever saw?

I grew up in Chicago, but when I was 12, I came to New York because I was doing an episode of Law & Order. And they took us to see The Lion King, so that was my first one. And it was amazing. I loved it so much, I cried during the show.

Your parents were actors when they were younger too, right?

They met at a speech contest in New Orleans. Then they fell in love when my mom was studying drama in New York City. They would write each other letters all the time—it was a real love story! And then, of course, they raised us with things they liked. So we'd have movie nights but we wouldn't watch the 'normal' films our friends were watching. The one they showed us that I really liked was Abbott and Costello Meet the Wolf Man!

That's pretty cool. I mean, it's weird, but it's cool.

I know! I didn't realize until I got older that it was something different than most kids had, because they were very into the arts, and they wanted to share that.

And now, Broadway! So how will your Cinderella be different than the other incarnations?

I think mine might be a little bit more comical. I naturally have more silliness to me, and I think the audience will be able to take more of the comedy from my performance. I'm a little bit sillier than past Cinderellas… at least, I am so far. But it's only the second day into rehearsal!

Pretend you could make any pair of shoes as magical as Cinderella's. Which kind would they be?

Oh, if I got to have magic shoes, I would have to create them myself: I would ask Jimmy Choo to make them for me. Jimmy Choo is my favorite.

Some people say Cinderella—and princesses in general—are bad examples for young women. What's your stance on Princess Culture?

I love princesses. And I think Cinderella is very strong. She's a young woman thinking outside of her environment, outside of her current situation, and she is choosing to believe that all is possible for her. And I think that is so admirable. I believe your reality is what you make it, what you choose to see, and what you choose to allow yourself to do. There are possibilities all around you—magic all around you—no matter what situation you're in.

So 'Cinderella' is about the power of positive thinking?

I think so! I'm a strong believer in what you take from things. You can learn from any situation—good or bad. You can make something not good, or you can make it great. And 'Cinderella' shows us that.

And after Cinderella? Do you have another Broadway show that could be next?

Well, I've always been interested in 'The Wiz.' I love a lot of that music, and I love Dorothy, too.

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